Chapter 20 : Death in the Castle

Ayda's POV When I awoke, it was still dark, and so too, were my thoughts. If things had been different… If things had been different, if things had worked like the stories, then I would have been with Sebastian that night in Twilight Tavern and not his brother. It would have been Sebastian I would have given my maidenhood to and not… not to his brother. Sullied. A moment of puddle deep lust and nothing more. If things had been different, perfect, Alex might have still lived to marry Narcissa, leaving Sebastian able to betroth me. No one would have cared so long as the Golden Prince was still alive. Sebastian yawned, head pillowed on his knuckles leaning over me on top of his sheets. Sheets, blood red like the vision that haunted my sleep, and I made a sound like a wounded lamb. "I was wondering when you'd wake up." He scooped me up, kissing the crown of my head. "I'm afraid that the halls are still packed with dignitaries. Apparently, there's a scavenger hunt f